Communication and Therapeutic Relationships > Fundamentals
Exam Review
Principles of Effective Communication
Total Questions : 6
Showing 6 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is communicating with a client who has a hearing impairment. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to facilitate effective communication?
Explanation
Correct answer: B) Face the client directly and maintain eye contact.
Rationale: The nurse should face the client directly and maintain eye contact when communicating with a client who has a hearing impairment, as this allows the client to read the nurse's lips and observe nonverbal cues. The nurse should also speak clearly and at a normal pace, and avoid covering the mouth or chewing gum.
Incorrect options:
A) Speak loudly and slowly. - This is an incorrect action, as speaking loudly and slowly can distort the sound and make it harder for the client to understand. It can also be perceived as patronizing or disrespectful by the client.
C) Use gestures and facial expressions to emphasize key points. - This is an incorrect action, as gestures and facial expressions can be ambiguous or misleading, and may not convey the intended message. The nurse should use simple and concrete language, and avoid using idioms, slang, or jargon.
D) Repeat the same information using different words if the client does not understand. - This is an incorrect action, as repeating the same information using different words can confuse the client and increase frustration. The nurse should ask the client to repeat back what they understood, and clarify any misunderstandings.
A client is admitted to the hospital with chest pain and shortness of breath. The nurse notices that the client speaks English with a heavy accent and uses some unfamiliar words. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure effective communication?
Explanation
Correct answer: B) Use a professional interpreter if available.
Rationale: The nurse should use a professional interpreter if available when communicating with a client who speaks a different language or has limited English proficiency, as this ensures accurate and culturally sensitive communication. The interpreter should be trained in medical terminology and confidentiality, and should not be a family member or friend of the client.
Incorrect options:
A) Ask the client to speak slower and louder. - This is an incorrect action, as asking the client to speak slower and louder can be perceived as rude or disrespectful by the client. It can also increase anxiety and stress for both parties, and impair communication.
C) Avoid asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer. - This is an incorrect action, as avoiding questions that require more than a yes or no answer can limit the amount of information obtained from the client, and prevent the nurse from assessing the client's needs, preferences, and concerns. The nurse should ask open-ended questions that encourage elaboration, clarification, and feedback from the client.
D) Assume that the client understands everything the nurse says. - This is an incorrect action, as assuming that the client understands everything the nurse says can lead to miscommunication, errors, and adverse outcomes. The nurse should verify the client's understanding by asking them to repeat back or demonstrate what they learned, and provide written materials in their preferred language if possible.
A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has diabetes mellitus. The nurse provides education on self-care measures, such as blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration, diet, exercise, and foot care. Which of the following statements by the nurse demonstrates effective communication?
Explanation
Correct answer: C) "What are some of the challenges you face in managing your diabetes?"
Rationale: The nurse demonstrates effective communication by asking the client what are some of
the challenges they face in managing their diabetes, as this shows empathy, respect, and interest in
the client's perspective. It also allows the nurse to identify any barriers or difficulties that may affect
the client's adherence to self-care measures, and provide appropriate support and resources.
Incorrect options:
A) "Do you have any questions about what I just told you?" - This is an ineffective statement,
as it implies that the nurse expects the client to have questions, which may discourage them from
asking or expressing their concerns. It also puts the burden of communication on the client, rather
than on the nurse. A better way to phrase this question is "What questions do you have about what
I just told you?"
B) "How do you feel about managing your diabetes at home?" - This is an ineffective statement,
as it is too vague and broad, and may not elicit specific or useful information from the client. It also
focuses on the client's feelings, rather than on their knowledge, skills, and behaviors. A better way to
phrase this question is "How confident are you in managing your diabetes at home?"
D) "You need to follow these instructions carefully to avoid complications." - This is an ineffective
statement, as it is authoritative and paternalistic, and may undermine the client's autonomy and
motivation. It also focuses on the negative consequences of non-adherence, rather than on the positive
benefits of adherence. A better way to phrase this statement is "Following these instructions will help
you control your blood glucose and prevent complications."
A nurse is caring for a client who has terminal cancer and is receiving palliative care. The client's family members are present at the bedside, and express their grief, anger, and guilt. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to communicate effectively with the family members?
Explanation
Correct answer: D) All of the above.
Rationale: The nurse should take all of the above actions to communicate effectively with the family
members of a client who has terminal cancer and is receiving palliative care, as this demonstrates
respect, empathy, and compassion. The nurse should provide factual information about the client's
condition and prognosis, using clear and simple language, and avoiding false reassurance or giving
unrealistic hope. The nurse should encourage the family members to express their emotions and offer
support, using active listening skills, such as nodding, paraphrasing, reflecting, and summarizing. The
nurse should also suggest coping strategies and resources for the family members to deal with their
grief, such as counseling, support groups, spiritual care, or hospice services.
Incorrect options:
None.
A nurse is conducting a health history interview with a client who has hypertension. The nurse asks the client about their medication regimen, dietary habits, physical activity level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, stress level, and family history. Which of the following questions by the nurse is an example of a closed-ended question?
Explanation
Correct answer: A) "Do you take your blood pressure medication as prescribed?"
Rationale: The nurse asks a closed-ended question when they ask the client if they take their blood
pressure medication as prescribed, as this question can be answered with a yes or no response. Closed-
ended questions are useful for obtaining specific or factual information from the client, but they can also
limit communication and rapport.
Incorrect options:
B) "What are some of the foods that you eat on a regular basis?" - This is an example of an open-
ended question, as this question cannot be answered with a yes or no response. Open-ended questions
are useful for obtaining more detailed or descriptive information from the client, and for encouraging
communication and rapport.
C) "How often do you exercise and what type of exercise do you do?" - This is an example of an open-
ended question, as this question cannot be answered with a yes or no response. Open-ended questions
are useful for obtaining more detailed or descriptive information from the client, and for encouraging
communication and rapport.
D) "How do you cope with stress in your life?" - This is an example of an open-ended question,
as this question cannot be answered with a yes or no response. Open-ended questions are useful for
obtaining more detailed or descriptive information from the client, and for encouraging communication
and rapport.
6. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse teaches the client about breathing exercises, oxygen therapy, medication use,smoking cessation, nutrition, and infection prevention. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use to enhance communication and learning?
Explanation
Correct answer: C) Use visual aids and demonstrations to illustrate key points.
Rationale: The nurse should use visual aids and demonstrations to illustrate key points when providing discharge instructions to a client who has COPD, as this enhances communication and learning by appealing to different learning styles, reinforcing verbal information, and making complex concepts more understandable. Visual aids and demonstrations can include diagrams, pictures, models, or videos that help the client visualize proper breathing techniques, use of oxygen therapy, medication administration, smoking cessation strategies, healthy nutrition choices, and infection prevention measures.
Incorrect options:
A) Use medical terminology and abbreviations to explain complex concepts. - This is not an effective technique, as using medical terminology and abbreviations can confuse the client and hinder their understanding. The nurse should use simple and clear language, avoiding jargon and technical terms, to ensure the client comprehends the information.
B) Provide all the information at once to avoid overwhelming the client. - Providing all the information at once can overwhelm the client and make it difficult for them to retain and understand the instructions. It is better to break down the information into manageable chunks and provide it in a step-by-step manner to promote comprehension and learning.
D) Ask closed-ended questions to assess the client's understanding. - Closed-ended questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no" may not provide a comprehensive assessment of the client's understanding. Open-ended questions that encourage the client to express their understanding and ask for clarification or elaboration are more effective in assessing comprehension and facilitating communication.
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